Miss Grand Philippines CJ Opiaza (left) and Miss Grand Curacao Akisha Albert/MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK PHOTOS
The Philippines’ delegates won in all three previous international pageants where Curacao’s Akisha Albert competed. And now, Filipino fans are hopeful that the trend will continue in the 2024 Miss Grand International contest, where she is representing the Caribbean nation.
National pageant veteran Cristine Julianne Opiaza is hoping to give the Philippines the elusive “golden crown” from the global tilt this year. And if luck will be in her favor, she may just accomplish the unprecedented feat.
No Filipino woman has ever brought home the title from the Bangkok-based international competition, with the country’s highest placement posted by Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo, who were first runner-up in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
Pageant observers are optimistic that Opiaza will finally score the Philippines’ first victory in the Miss Grand International pageant, not only because of the impressive performance that she has delivered in the preliminary events but also because of Albert’s record with other Filipino contenders.
Albert took part in the 2014 Miss Earth pageant in Manila, where Jamie Herrell became the second Filipino woman to win the crown. She, however, went home empty-handed.
In 2017, she was proclaimed “Virreina” (Vice-Queen) in the Reina Hispanoamericana competition in Bolivia, where Filipino actress Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez made history as the first Asian winner in the international pageant.
Albert then proceeded to the 2018 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, where she finished in the Top 10. The title went to Catriona Gray from the Philippines.
Will Albert continue to bring luck to the Philippines? The world will find out at the 2024 Miss Grand International coronation show tonight, Oct. 25, at the MGI Hall (Bravo BKK) in Bangkok, to be streamed real-time via the Grand TV YouTube channel.
A viewing party for Filipino fans will be held at the URCC Sports Bar and ALV Music Studio, The Palace, Olongapo City. Opiaza is from the province of Zambales.